Showing that (the proverb), "Omission to reply is a reply," confirms the saying that silence is the (proper) reply to the fool. The explanation of both these (sayings) is (contained) in the story which will now be related.

بود شاهی بود او را بنده‌ای ** مرده عقلی بود و شهوت‌زنده‌ای1490

There was a king: he had a slave; he (the slave) was one whose reason was dead and whose lust was alive.

خرده‌های خدمتش بگذاشتی ** بد سگالیدی نکو پنداشتی

He would neglect the niceties of service to him (the king): he was thinking evil and deeming (it) good.

گفت شاهنشه جرااش کم کنید ** ور بجنگد نامش از خط بر زنید

The monarch said, “Reduce his allowance, and if he wrangle strike his name off the roll.”

عقل او کم بود و حرص او فزون ** چون جرا کم دید شد تند و حرون

His reason was deficient, his cupidity excessive: when he saw the allowance reduced he became violent and refractory.

عقل بودی گرد خود کردی طواف ** تا بدیدی جرم خود گشتی معاف

Had there been reason (in him), he would have made a circuit round himself, in order that he might see his offence and become forgiven.

چون خری پابسته تندد از خری ** هر دو پایش بسته گردد بر سری1495

When, on account of asininity, a tethered ass becomes violent, both his (fore-)legs will be shackled in addition.

پس بگوید خر که یک بندم بست ** خود مدان کان دو ز فعل آن خسست

Then the ass will say, “One tether is enough for me”; (but) in sooth do not think (that such is the case), for those two are (result) from the action of that vile creature.

In exposition of the following Hadíth of Mustafá (Mohammed), on whom be peace: "Verily, the most High God created the angels and set reason in them, and He created the beasts and set lust in them, and He created the sons of Adam and set in them reason and lust; and he whose reason prevails over his lust is higher than the angels, and he whose lust prevails over his reason is lower than the beasts."

در حدیث آمد که یزدان مجید ** خلق عالم را سه گونه آفرید

It is related in the Hadíth that the majestical God created the creatures of the world (in) three kinds.

یک گره را جمله عقل و علم و جود ** آن فرشته‌ست او نداند جز سجود

One class (He made) entirely reason and knowledge and munificence; that is the angel: he knoweth naught but prostration in worship.

نیست اندر عنصرش حرص و هوا ** نور مطلق زنده از عشق خدا

In his original nature is no concupiscence and sensuality: he is absolute light, (he is) living through (his) love of God.

یک گروه دیگر از دانش تهی ** هم‌چو حیوان از علف در فربهی1500

Another class is devoid of knowledge, like the animal (which lives) in fatness from (eating) fodder.

او نبیند جز که اصطبل و علف ** از شقاوت غافلست و از شرف

It sees nothing but stable and fodder: it is heedless of (future) misery and glory (felicity).

این سوم هست آدمی‌زاد و بشر ** نیم او ز افرشته و نیمیش خر

The third (class) is Adam's descendant and Man: half of him is of the angel and half of him is ass.

نیم خر خود مایل سفلی بود ** نیم دیگر مایل عقلی بود

The ass-half, indeed, inclines to that which is low; the other half inclines to that which is rational.

آن دو قوم آسوده از جنگ و حراب ** وین بشر با دو مخالف در عذاب

Those two classes (the angels and the beasts) are at rest from war and combat, while this Man is (engaged) in torment (painful struggle) with two adversaries.

وین بشر هم ز امتحان قسمت شدند ** آدمی شکلند و سه امت شدند1505

And, moreover, this (race of) Man, through probation, has been divided: they (all) are of human shape, but (in truth) they have become three communities (families).

یک گره مستغرق مطلق شدست ** هم‌چو عیسی با ملک ملحق شدست

One party have become submerged absolutely and, like Jesus, have attained unto the (nature of the) angel.

نقش آدم لیک معنی جبرئیل ** رسته از خشم و هوا و قال و قیل

The form (of such a one is that of) Adam, but the reality is Gabriel: he has been delivered from anger and sensual passion and (vain) disputation.

از ریاضت رسته وز زهد و جهاد ** گوییا از آدمی او خود نزاد

He has been delivered from discipline and asceticism and self-mortification: you would say he was not even born of a child of Adam.

قسم دیگر با خران ملحق شدند ** خشم محض و شهوت مطلق شدند

The second sort have attained unto (the nature of) asses: they have become pure anger and absolute lust.

وصف جبریلی دریشان بود رفت ** تنگ بود آن خانه و آن وصف زفت1510

The qualities of Gabriel were in them and departed: that house was (too) narrow, and those qualities (too) grand.

مرده گردد شخص کو بی‌جان شود ** خر شود چون جان او بی‌آن شود

The person who is deprived of (the vital) spirit becomes dead: when his spirit is deprived of those (angelic qualities), he becomes an ass,

زانک جانی کان ندارد هست پست ** این سخن حقست و صوفی گفته است

Because the spirit that hath not those (qualities) is vile: this word is true, and the (perfect) Súfí has said (it).

او ز حیوانها فزون‌تر جان کند ** در جهان باریک کاریها کند

He (the man of animal nature) suffers more anxiety than the beasts, (for) he practises subtle arts in the world.